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• Microsoft Announces Asheron's Call Public Beta
  Time: 18:47 EDT/23:47 GMT Source:E-mail Posted By: Bob

  Microsoft's MSN Gaming Zone is expecting thousands of fans to flood their servers beginning next week, when the November issue of Computer Games magazine hits newsstands with the exclusive beta version of Asheron’s Call enclosed.After purchasing the magazine and installing the beta disc included on Computer Games’ CD sampler, gamers will be able to play the massively multiplayer role playing game for free for a limited time. The November issue is expected to appear at newsstands beginning in early October, and this unique beta program will run for the weeks prior to Asheron’s Call commercial release later this holiday season.

  Rather than providing an abridged version of the game (via a demo version), the Asheron’s Call beta disc will provide gamers with a full taste of the game’s epic virtual world. Players will have the opportunity to explore and see first hand the complete, 500 square mile isle of Dereth and interact with thousands of other players before this highly anticipated game is released. Gamers are encouraged to keep their eyes peeled for the November issue, featuring Asheron’s Call on the cover, at newsstands so they can pick up a copy and begin playing.

  Developed by Turbine Entertainment, Asheron’s Call is a massively multiplayer role-playing game that draws together thousands of players within a dynamic, 3-D online world. Players can create truly unique characters by choosing between extensive combinations of visual appearance, attributes and skill sets.  Asheron’s Call immerses players in an intense role-playing fantasy environment where they must compete or cooperate with thousands of other online players. An extensive system of allegiance and influence greatly enhances social interaction. The online nature of the game facilitates an evolving and dynamic adventure inside a consistent universe. The game will never be solved because there will always be more areas to explore and quests to complete.

   

• Verio To Host Microsoft Office Over Internet
  Time: 14:29 EDT/19:29 GMT Source: TechWeb Posted By: Byron

  In an effort to knock out Sun Microsystems' StarPortal initiative, Microsoft is teaming up with Verio, among other Web hosting companies, to offer its popular Office suite on a pay-as-you-go basis over the Internet.

  At Fall Internet World from Oct. 6 to Oct. 8, Englewood, Colo.-based Verio will give attendees a sneak preview of its forthcoming "Virtual Office" hosting services, but will also lay out its plans to offer rented software applications, including Microsoft Office, over the Web sometime in 2000, a Verio spokesman said Wednesday.

   
• Microsoft Pushes High-Speed Connections
  Time: 14:24 EDT/19:24 GMT Source: TechWeb Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft is pushing the adoption of high-speed Internet access by advocating more music and videos online. Called "Project Jumpstart," its plan is also meant to promote the company's Windows Media technologies, which lets users get Internet streaming video and audio. Content featured on Windows Media would come from Warner Bros., DreamWorks, and Sony Music.

   
• Netscape revs Communicator
  Time: 14:19 EDT/19:19 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Byron

  Netscape on Thursday (Actually it was yesterday ZDNet) released a new version of its Communicator browser that allows consumers to access a shopping portal with one click.

  Communicator 4.7, currently available online, includes a Shop@Netscape button, a feature of Netscape parent America Online Inc.'s (NYSE:AOL) program to expand its commerce plan across brands. The button will take users to a site that provides links to merchants, news and specials, and themed merchandising.

   
• Is a fair partnership with MS possible?
  Time: 14:19 EDT/19:19 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Byron

  As Microsoft continues to add more features to its operating systems, software developers and integrators—by necessity—have become increasingly adept at avoiding the dancing elephant.

  Until recently, the best way to evade Microsoft's big feet was to get the hell out of the way. If developers were lucky, they might manage to finagle a payoff or legal settlement in the process (like Stac managed to do). But instead, most developers found themselves scrambling at the eleventh hour to reposition themselves.

   
• Microsoft Unveils New Web Portal for Small Businesses
  Time: 14:14 EDT/19:14 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron

  It doesn't take someone with an MBA to know that nurturing a growing business is hard work. Although the Internet offers many ways to help entrepreneurs develop and manage their companies, finding the right tools and services can be a frustrating and time-consuming task. To make life easier for small-business owners, Microsoft today unveiled bCentral (http://www.bcentral.com), a Web portal that provides a comprehensive suite of services and resources geared toward starting, promoting and managing a growing company. The site, currently in beta, is scheduled to be fully operational in mid-October, but Microsoft is encouraging users to tour bCentral now, become familiar with its features and offer their feedback.

   
• The 'Blue Screen of Death'
  Time: 09:13 EDT/14:13 GMT Source: Wired Posted By: Byron

  Intel Corp. said it has discovered a bug in two versions of its Pentium III Xeon processors for the server and workstation market, a bug that will delay the shipment of servers based on the chip.

  Intel said it is still shipping the chips -- a Pentium III Xeon with a speed of 550 megahertz and a level two cache of 512 kilobytes, and the other with one megabyte of secondary cache. Both chips run in configuration of eight processors on an Intel motherboard, called the Sabre. Cache is a reserved section of memory to improve performance.

   

• Gates strikes silver in mining company
  Time: 08:50 EDT/13:50 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT) Chairman Bill Gates has taken a 10.3 percent stake in mining company Pan American Silver Corp., following his friend Warren Buffett into the precious metal market. Gates' investment vehicle Cascade Investment LLC began building its position aggressively in February of this year and currently has a stake of 3.15 million shares in the Vancouver, B.C.-based company, according to a document filed this week with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

   
• Microsoft's X-Box Reveals Itself
  Time: 05:01 EDT/10:01 GMT Source: Gamespot Posted By: Byron

  Here's what has been speculated about the system so far:

  What is the X-Box? A set-top game console from Microsoft based on a modified version of the Windows 2000 operating system. (Although it hasn't been indicated if it will be the consumer or the true 32-bit workstation version.)

  What will be inside? An Intel microprocessor as powerful as the chip inside Sony's PlayStation2, a DVD-ROM drive, a graphics chip supplied by Nvidia, and a sizeable (upward of 4GB) hard drive.

  What software will it support? CD-ROM and DVD-ROM formats.

  How will it control? X-Box will make use of USB controllers; four controller ports are likely since Sony's decision to use only two ports with the PlayStation has been hotly debated by gamers.

  What will it offer? The ability to play PC games with no hassle, online gaming through the MSN Gaming Zone, DVD movie playback, TV viewing functions (such as taping television shows to the hard drive), WebTV-based e-mail, and other Internet functions.

  How much will it cost? Sources speculate between US$300 and $350.

   

• Windows 2000 RC - 2 Screenshots
  Time: 03:04 EDT/08:04 GMT Source: Windows Planet Online Posted By: Alex H

  Just to let you know that Windows Planet Online has posted some new screenshots of Windows 2000 RC - 2. There are eight screenshots in total and give you a broad range of new things in Windows 2000. You can check them out here.

• Bill Gates Owns a Little Less Microsoft
  Time: 19:00 EDT/24:00 GMT Source: AVault Posted By: Byron

  Bill Gates' piece of the Microsoft pie was cut to $71 billion from $87.5 billion this year after he donated billions of dollars in shares to his charitable foundation. Gates has reduced his holdings to about 787 million shares, or a little more than 15 percent of the company, according to documents released Tuesday. That is down from almost 20 percent in January, the last time the company disclosed figures.

  Gates and his wife have donated about $15 billion this year to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, now the nation's biggest, with assets valued at $17 billion, according to foundation officials. They said Gates is expected to continue adding assets to the fund, in line with his stated commitment to give away most of his wealth. Even with the reduction, Gates is still the world's richest individual by far, according to Forbes magazine.

   
• Annual Report Highlights Microsoft’s Focus on Software Services in the PC-Plus Era
  Time: 18:50 EDT/23:50 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft is turning its gaze beyond the PC to focus on simplified, Web-enabled software solutions that will empower people anytime, anywhere and on any device. In the newly issued Microsoft 1999 Annual Report, company chairman and CEO Bill Gates highlights Microsoft’s push to provide software services in this “PC-plus” era.

   
• Microsoft Builds Coalition to Jumpstart Broadband Industry
  Time: 18:48 EDT/23:48 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron

  Remember the first time you saw the scene in “2001: A Space Odyssey” where Dr. Heywood Floyd calls his daughter from the moon using a public video telephone? Remember how “futuristic” it seemed? Long-distance video communication is hardly the novel concept today that it was when Arthur C. Clarke and Stanley Kubrick presented it to us three decades ago, but video telephony and a host of other applications that rely on large amounts of streaming data have yet to appear in our homes and offices. The reason is not that the technology is beyond us, but that the necessary elements for delivering high-speed, high-bandwidth services and content are not yet in place -- not quite.

   
• Microsoft Launches Windows Media Broadband Jumpstart Initiative To Accelerate Consumer Adoption of Broadband Technology
  Time: 18:47 EDT/23:47 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron

  At the Digital Hollywood conference in Los Angeles today, Microsoft Corp. and more than 35 industry leaders launched the Microsoft^® Windows Media™ Broadband Jumpstart initiative, an end-to-end industrywide effort designed to accelerate broadband technology adoption by consumers and increase profitability for content owners. As a result of this initiative, consumers will have access to new broadband content by the end of this year. At the conference, Anthony Bay, general manager for Microsoft's Streaming Media division, predicted that this new initiative would play a key role in doubling consumer broadband adoption within the coming year.

   
• Microsoft's Chief Political Operative Quits
  Time: 18:41 EDT/23:41 GMT Source: TechWeb Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft's top government relations executive, in charge of the industry titan's political and campaign contribution strategy, is resigning. Kimberly Ellwanger, senior director of corporate affairs, is expected to step down next month, a Microsoft spokesman said. Ellwanger oversaw a staff of 30, including 10 lobbyists in Washington.

   
• Microsoft Builds Coalition to Jumpstart Broadband Industry
  Time: 17:47 EDT/22:47 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Alex H

  Remember the first time you saw the scene in “2001: A Space Odyssey” where Dr. Heywood Floyd calls his daughter from the moon using a public video telephone? Remember how “futuristic” it seemed? Long-distance video communication is hardly the novel concept today that it was when Arthur C. Clarke and Stanley Kubrick presented it to us three decades ago, but video telephony and a host of other applications that rely on large amounts of streaming data have yet to appear in our homes and offices. The reason is not that the technology is beyond us, but that the necessary elements for delivering high-speed, high-bandwidth services and content are not yet in place -- not quite.

  Don’t hold your breath for a colony on the moon or evidence of intelligent alien life by 2001, but you can expect to see the beginnings of affordable, accessible broadband telecommunications by then. Broadband essentially removes throughput barriers and, as a result, opens up an array of possibilities for new services, marketing and entertainment. Consumers will be able to watch movies on demand, take part in surveys and order merchandise as part of the TV programs they’re watching, and use non-PC devices to access remotely stored applications or content instantly. And that video-phone service may become as common as call waiting.

  Microsoft Corp., which for several years has been forging industry alliances, developing Windows Media Technologies for streaming media and making investments in the high-bandwidth arena, today announced a collaborative effort to bring broadband capabilities and services to the market more quickly. In a keynote speech today at the Digital Hollywood conference in Los Angeles, Anthony Bay, general manager of the Streaming Media Division at Microsoft, launched the Windows Media Broadband Jumpstart initiative, Microsoft’s end-to-end strategy for jumpstarting broadband business models and overcoming the barriers to making broadband services a reality. “Today’s explosion of digital audio, driven particularly by the music industry, gives us a peek at consumers’ enthusiasm for the benefits that a high-bandwidth Internet can offer,” Bay said. “But before broadband services can come into their own, we have to overcome several hurdles.”

   
• COMPASS ’99 Mirrors the Success of SQL Server 7
  Time: 17:45 EDT/22:45 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Alex H

  More than 1,000 database administrators, application developers, system administrators and IT managers are convening at the Hyatt Regency here today for the first user-run conference focusing exclusively on Microsoft SQL Server.

  COMPASS ’99, designed to help IT professionals expand their skills and leverage their companies’ investments in SQL Server technology, features a keynote address from Jim Gray, senior researcher at Microsoft and the winner of the 1998 Association of Computing Machinery A.M. Turing Award. Other keynote speakers include Paul Flessner, general manager of Microsoft SQL Server, and Russell M. Artzt, executive vice president of research and development at Computer Associates. Presentations from SQL Server experts and more than 75 educational sessions focusing on data warehousing, Web-based solutions, distributed application development and management will round out the event.

  COMPASS ’99 is sponsored by PASS, a not-for-profit, user-run association co-founded by Microsoft and Computer Associates that serves SQL Server professionals worldwide. The association is dedicated to providing educational opportunities and professional networks that give members the resources and knowledge they need to be successful with SQL Server.

  “PASS was co-founded less than six months ago, yet the number of attendees at COMPASS ’99 goes far beyond the association’s expectations,” said Barry Goffe, lead product manager for Microsoft SQL Server 7.0. “This is a great start for any independent organization such as this and is a testament to the groundswell of support for SQL Server 7.0.”

   
• Annual Report Highlights Microsoft’s Focus on Software Services in the PC-Plus Era
  Time: 17:43 EDT/22:43 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Alex H

  Microsoft is turning its gaze beyond the PC to focus on simplified, Web-enabled software solutions that will empower people anytime, anywhere and on any device. In the newly issued Microsoft 1999 Annual Report, company chairman and CEO Bill Gates highlights Microsoft’s push to provide software services in this “PC-plus” era.

  “In the new millennium, the remarkable power and flexibility of the PC will be available wherever it is needed,” Gates says in his letter to shareholders. “The PC-plus era will be about connectivity, scalability, and simplicity. It will be an era where people are at the center, where technology is a natural extension of the way consumers and businesses think about themselves and their interactions with others.”

  As intelligent devices and appliances join PCs as mainstays in everyday life, Gates says that “more software will be delivered over the Internet, and the boundary between online services and software products will blur.” Software will ultimately be viewed as a service, enabling friction-free information flow within organizations, seamless e-commerce operations, Web-enabled products for many devices, simplified and reliable PCs, and a personalized Internet.

  Microsoft’s software for knowledge workers in this PC-plus era will be designed to make them far more efficient. Future versions of Microsoft Exchange will offer a platform for unified messaging and “Web Store” technology to promote centralized communications and information access and management. A customized “Digital Dashboard” solution in Microsoft Office will help knowledge workers prioritize tasks, information, messages and meetings, as well as access the tools they need to analyze and process data.

  These services will be supported by a Windows platform that scales from the smallest embedded operating systems in thermostats and lights, to the largest mission-critical server farms. Windows2000 will deliver breakthrough load-balancing technology for superior reliability and IntelliMirror technology to simplify network backup and data synchronization on many devices.

   
• Linux distributor Caldera delays IPO
  Time: 17:22 EDT/22:22 GMT Source: The Register Posted By: Alex H

  Caldera is to follow fellow Linux distributor Red Hat down the IPO trail later rather than sooner. The company's plan to go public will now not take place until next year and not next month after all, according to sources cited by US newswires.

  The reason for the decision appears to be advice from Caldera's underwriters, who reckon that hi-tech stocks aren't as popular right now as they have been of late largely as investors are beginning to realise they're more than a little overvalued.

  The underwriters' advice to Caldera: wait a while.

  Caldera wants the money it hopes to make through the IPO for expansion. Like Red Hat, it realises the future for Linux distributors lies not in flogging more product per se, but in selling support services to business users.

  Or does it? It's interesting that Caldera president Ransom Love -- and that doesn't sound like the name of a romantic novelist, nothing does -- sees Caldera competing with major OS vendors, most notably Sun and Microsoft.

   
• Caldera signs Linux Net appliance deal with Fujitsu
  Time: 17:19 EDT/22:19 GMT Source: The Register Posted By: Alex H

  Linux distributor Caldera Systems today confirmed press speculation that it has done a deal with Fujitsu to bundle OpenLinux 2.3 with the Japanese giant's server products.

  Actually, it turns out the deal only covers "many of [Fujitsu's] servers" -- in other words, not all of them. For instance, it's not clear how many of Fujitsu's server-supplying subsidiaries, such as ICL, will offer Caldera's version of Linux. Probably not, since the deal appears to focus solely on the Japanese market.

  In fact, when the companies' release says "Fujitsu will distribute OpenLinux 2.3... on many of its servers, including the GranPower series", it means only on the GranPower series.

   
• Caldera signs Linux Net appliance deal with Fujitsu
  Time: 17:19 EDT/22:19 GMT Source: The Register Posted By: Alex H

  Linux distributor Caldera Systems today confirmed press speculation that it has done a deal with Fujitsu to bundle OpenLinux 2.3 with the Japanese giant's server products.

  Actually, it turns out the deal only covers "many of [Fujitsu's] servers" -- in other words, not all of them. For instance, it's not clear how many of Fujitsu's server-supplying subsidiaries, such as ICL, will offer Caldera's version of Linux. Probably not, since the deal appears to focus solely on the Japanese market.

  In fact, when the companies' release says "Fujitsu will distribute OpenLinux 2.3... on many of its servers, including the GranPower series", it means only on the GranPower series.

   
• Low PC prices ignite huge August sales
  Time: 17:17 EDT/22:17 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex H

  PC retailers enjoyed a banner August, registering the highest growth rate in two years.

  Lured by subsidies from Internet providers and falling hardware prices, sales of Windows-based computers nearly doubled while average selling prices fell below $800 for the first time, according to market researchers.

  Indeed, unit sales in North America rose to 718,384 in August compared with 474,442 units a year ago, according to market research firm Intelect ASW Marketing Services L.L.C.

   
• Massive fiber cuts interrupt Net traffic
  Time: 17:15 EDT/22:15 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex H

  At least four Internet service providers are experiencing severe traffic backlogs because of a massive fiber-optic cable cut that put out four OC-192 lines connecting data networks on the East and West Coasts.

  Industry sources told Inter@ctive Week that the cut was accidentally made by an unidentified gas company in Ohio around 12:30 EST today.

  The news is sending shockwaves through the networking community, with many carrier operators struggling to understand why, all of a sudden, their traffic is routed through London and Denmark.

  At least four Internet service providers are being affected by the outage. Various online sources have named AboveNet; GTE Internetworking; and MFS Communications, a WorldCom subsidiary, as ISPs hit the worst.

   
• Microsoft: Bad security, or bad press?
  Time: 17:13 EDT/22:13 GMT Source: CNN Posted By: Alex H

  Microsoft has been getting a lot of bad press lately over security vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer, Office and Hotmail, among other software. Security concerns with Windows NT even prompted the U.S. Army to move its hacked Web site from NT servers to WebStar servers running the MacOS.

  But does this mean Microsoft software is less secure than other software?

  A variety of experts think so, claiming the software giant is offering more functionality at the expense of security. Microsoft defends its strategy, saying users want ease-of-use and more features.

  And several users said they approve of that strategy. In the end, it's up to users to let the company know whether they are happy with the trade-off or if they want defaults to be set for greater security and more hand-holding.

   
• Microsoft Security Bulletin on New IE 5.0 Hole
  Time: 10:14 EDT/15:14 GMT Source: Email Posted By: Alex R.

  Microsoft has issued a security bulletin about a new hole in IE 5.0.  The security bulletin advises that the current workaround for this bug is to disable Active Scripting, until they release a patch.  Here's the copy from the bulletin:

  Microsoft has learned of a vulnerability in Microsoft® Internet Explorer 5 that could allow a malicious web site operator to take inappropriate action on the computer of a person who visited the site.  Customers can immediately protect themselves against this vulnerability by disabling Active Scripting in IE 5, as discussed in the FAQ.  Microsoft is also developing a patch that will restore safe operation to the affected feature; when the patch is available, this bulletin will be re-released.

   
• Microsoft patches holes in Explorer
  Time: 09:50 EDT/14:50 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft has patched a handful of security holes in its Internet Explorer browser that made computers vulnerable to attack by malicious Web site operators.

  The first patch takes care of a problem with IE's ImportExportFavorites feature, which lets users tranfer lists of frequently visited Web addresses. The bug lets a malicious Web site operator run executable code on the computer of someone who visits that Web site.

   
• Gaming/Hardware Newshounds Wanted
  Time: 10:28 EDT/15:28 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Bob

  We are need of newshounds for the Gaming and Hardware Sections of ActiveWindows. Benefits include personal webspace and e-mail account, plus the ability to receive free review products, among other things! Interested individuals should e-mail Bob.

   
• Microsoft to add another billion to R&D budget
  Time: 09:49 EDT/14:49 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft expects to spend $3.8 billion on research and development in fiscal 2000, up nearly 36 percent from $2.8 billion in fiscal 1999, the computer software giant said in documents filed today.

  Microsoft chairman Bill Gates disclosed the figure in a letter to shareholders in the company's annual report. "We are investing heavily in the future...," he said. "There is, however, no guarantee of success. Competition continues to intensify, and regulatory pressures are unlikely to ease."

   

• Does Microsoft fear rising tech stocks?
  Time: 09:48 EDT/14:48 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Byron

  What made Microsoft president Steve Ballmer take a shot last week at the "absurd" prices of technology stocks, including his own? One fellow Microsoft executive, group vice president Jeff Raikes, yesterday joked at an investor conference in San Francisco that the balding Ballmer was just "having a bad hair day" when he trashed the stocks.

   

• Microsoft Takes Home Desktop Publishing to the Next Level With Home Publishing Suite 2000
  Time: 09:45 EDT/14:45 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft Corp. today announced the release of Home Publishing Suite 2000, the latest version of the company's home desktop publishing software for consumers that combines the best of print publishing, easy-to-use Web functionality and the leading consumer photo-editing software, Microsoft^® Picture It!^®, into one complete package.

   
• Netscape Communicator 4.7 Released
  Time: 09:42 EDT/14:42 GMT Source: E-Mail Posted By: Byron

  Netscape has released a new version of Communicator. This new version brings it up to 4.7. So for those of you that still use Netscape Communicator download it now.

   

• Site News: Design Updates On The Way
  Time: 05:43 EDT/10:43 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Byron

  We are currently working on some design enhancements for ActiveWindows. One enhancement has already been added to the site (Our new logo, the one seen on our mouse mats). These changes won't be drastic, so don't worry that the site will be getting a major overhaul as we really don't need to. Anyway, here are some of our confirmed upcoming reviews:

  Hardware: Microsoft Sidewinder Precision Racing Wheel, Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer, Regular Visor, Microtek SlimScan6
  Software: Age Of Empires 2, Flight Simulator 2000, Pandora's Box, Links LS 2000 Encarta 2000 Reference Suite DVD Edition, Sinistar Unleashed, Firestorm, X: Beyond The Frontier, System Shock 2, Heavy Gear 2, Shadowman, Rogue Spear
  Applications: Photoshop 5.5, Corel Suite 9

   

• Windows CE Goes Browsing
  Time: 03:27 EDT/08:27 GMT Source: PC World Posted By: Alex H

  A broader selection of applications may soon be running Windows CE, and on a wider choice of devices, because Microsoft Tuesday updated its Platform Builder for the operating system at the Embedded Systems Conference here.

  Platform Builder 2.12 supports Web browsing through Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0, offering tighter Web connections for Windows CE programs. New tools will let developers enhance cryptography functions with 128-bit encryption, and support better interaction between Windows CE applications. For example, Microsoft Message Queue is a component that sends messages between programs.

  To actually develop applications for Windows CE devices, you'll have to be a programmer. But the benefit of the new development platform is that it will become easier and cheaper to support devices previously unable to run CE, according to a Microsoft representative.

  The announcement of the new Platform Builder may be shaking up the developer world, but it's nothing new to Wesstek. The development company has been designing CE-enabled devices using a prerelease of Microsoft's Platform Builder 2.12 for a few months now.

   
• Secrets of the Explorer Address Bar Revealed
  Time: 03:25 EDT/08:25 GMT Source: PC World Posted By: Alex H

  Look at the top of any folder or Explorer window on your screen. See that Address bar? It's not just for Web addresses, you know. You can also use it to issue commands and to navigate your hard disk. Here are my favorite undocumented tips and tricks for getting the most out of that little-used box:

  LAUNCH ANYTHING. You can launch any folder, file, application, shortcut, or batch file by typing its name in the Address bar. If the item you want to launch isn't listed in the Set Path line of your autoexec.bat file or in a place Windows normally checks (such as the Windows folder or the desktop), you may have to type a complete path (for example, c:\Program Files\opera\opera.exe). In addition, reader Robin Sequira of Miami points out that you can open Control Panel items simply by entering Control Panel\ followed by the name of the item you want (for example, Control Panel\Display ). You can use this technique to open items in the Printers or Dial-Up Networking folders, too (for example, you might type Printers\LaserJet ).

   
• Corel, others legitimize alternative IM software
  Time: 03:21 EDT/08:21 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Alex H

  Only months after America Online and Microsoft declared war in the instant messaging market, alternative instant messaging products are cropping up that intend to both compete and interoperate with AOL's market-leading messaging systems.

  The rise of these alternatives comes as instant messaging solidifies its position as one of the hottest applications on the Internet, letting Web surfers communicate in real time and giving businesses new ways to communicate with their customers.

  Jabber.org, a grassroots effort to craft an instant messaging service under the open-source software development model, got a boost this week with Corel's decision to implement Jabber's software in Corel's Linux desktop operating system and applications.

  Corel will add the instant messaging client in a partnership with Webb Interactive Services, which has taken a keen interest in Jabber's project to produce an instant messaging client based on Extensible Markup Language (XML).

• Neti Beta Preview
  Time: 03:19 EDT/08:19 GMT Source: Beta Bites Posted By: Alex H

  "Neti is an invaluable, freeware utility from Katarn Corporation that is a bookmarks organizer with a twist. Neti contains a search engine with a regularly updated database of excellent sites, and promises very few or no dead links.

  Having Neti is like designing your own search engine. Neti gives you control over your searches, no more waiting for results you don't want or need. Neti also organizes those bookmarks that seem to suddenly vanish when you need them."

   
• 3Com, Microsoft team for home networking kit
  Time: 03:16 EDT/08:16 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Alex H

  The first home networking kit from an alliance between 3Com and Microsoft will hit store shelves this week.

  The product will allow consumers to link their Windows-based PCs, printers, and other devices together to share files, Internet access, or even play multi-player video games.

  3Com and Microsoft are just the latest companies to enter the fledgling home networking market that is expected to boom in the next few years, as high-speed Internet access technologies become widely available.

  Intel, Nortel Networks' NetGear, S3's Diamond Multimedia, and others firms are all competing for a piece of the market and have already shipped their own home networking products.

  These firms see a future where all electronic devices can be networked together, potentially transforming life at home and at work. Analysts say once home networking technology advances, a person could turn on the air conditioning through his or her TV, or keep an eye on the house over a video security camera feed to a Web browser at work.

• Unreal Tournament Demo Released
  Time: 14:46 EDT/19:46 GMT Source: Voodoo Extreme Posted By: Byron

  The full version of the new demo (55Mb) is now released. Modem users can download it from Gigex here - this is a resumable download so if your modem connection dies during the 55Mb download you can still get the file without starting the whole download over. Those using really fast connections and those behind firewalls should try here which is a more normal FTP-style download.

  The patch for the existing 3DFX demo (10Mb) is also available now. Modem users can download it from Gigex at here - this is a resumable download so if your modem connection dies during the 10Mb download you can still get the file without starting the whole download over. Those using really fast connections and those behind firewalls should try here which is a more normal FTP-style download.

  Win some UT goodies: If you download either version through Gigex, and provide your email address, you could be one of 50 lucky winners (chosen at random) to receive a long-sleeve, black UT T-shirt or be the one lucky winner to get a very exclusive Unreal Tournament leather jacket! Details appear with the download.

   
• Millennium not living up to its name?
  Time: 11:45 EDT/16:45 GMT Source: ZDNet/ActiveWindows Posted By: Alex H

  Looks like Microsoft is pooing on certain bad info coming out about Millennium, as we mentioned before, not all "Centers" were ever going to be in Millennium like some sites have said, and also no new amazing desktop features will be in Millennium (Real surprise there). The main changes to the UI will first feature in Neptune as we have previously talked about and posted the first ever image of. Yes some features of Neptune will get into Millennium, just don't believe anyone who tells you to expect major changes.

  Anyway, here is what ZDNet had to say about it all:

  Activity Centers "won't be a focus for Millennium, but are part of Microsoft's longer-range consumer OS plans," said a corporate spokeswoman. "It's too early to say how they'll be implemented, but I can say that you won't see them in Millennium, nor will you see a brand-new UI," she said.

   
• Microsoft Announces Windows-Based Terminal Professional, Based on Windows NT Embedded 4.0
  Time: 11:26 EDT/16:26 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft Corp. today announced that it is extending its Windows®-based terminal (WBT) family with support for the Windows NT® Embedded 4.0 operating system. Microsoft and Compaq Computer Corp. also today announced that Compaq plans to ship a line of Windows-based terminals starting in October 1999.

   
• Microsoft Announces Availability of Windows CE Platform Builder 2.12
  Time: 11:24 EDT/16:24 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron

  Today at the Embedded Systems Conference, Microsoft Corp. announced the availability of Microsoft® Windows® CE operating system Platform Builder 2.12, the next step in the evolution of Microsoft's embedded product offerings. The Windows CE operating system is an open platform that provides embedded systems developers with more core operating system services and, with integrated support for Internet browsing and Microsoft Message Queue (MSMQ) Services, it introduces functionality and a feature set that make seamless connectivity possible where it wasn't before.

   
• Micrografx Webtricity Review
  Time: 10:28 EDT/15:28 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Bob

  We have just finished our review of the graphics add-on/suite, Webtricity. Be sure to check the review out, it is a real interesting program and the possibilities with using it's images for the web and presentations, etc. is endless!

   
• Windows 98 Second Edition Shutdown Supplement - Fix
  Time: 09:28 EDT/14:28 GMT Source: E-Mail Posted By: Byron

  It seems that Microsoft has released a new fix for the shutdown problems that some users have been experiencing with Windows 98 SE. Remember that you can also check out their FAQ on the subject too before downloading the "Fix".

   
• Intel confirms 820 chip set delay
  Time: 09:25 EDT/14:25 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Byron

  Intel Corp. confirmed Monday it has again delayed its 820 chip set for high-performance desktop PCs and is working on a fix.

  Intel (Nasdaq:INTC) is working with manufacturer Rambus Inc. to iron out memory errors seen in tests of certain system configurations with the chip set. In morning trading, Rambus (Nasdaq:RMBS) shares were down 13 percent.

   

• ActiveWindows Community Reminder
  Time: 05:28 EDT/10:28 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Byron

  Just another reminder about signing up for our ActiveWindows Community on MSN. It allows you to chat with us in our chat room or via our message board, it also lets you post your own screensavers and backgrounds for other ActiveWindows readers to download.

• Site News: Recruiting
  Time: 16:18 EDT/21:18 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Byron

  Hey again everyone, we are after a 2nd graphic design artist, if you like our site etc and would be interested in doing various graphical work on our "Sites" then please get into contact with us ASAP. The only catch is that you need to be well used to Photoshop, please also send us links to your examples (No images in the e-mails to us please)

  We have begun the beta of the new ActiveSci-Fi site, while we are creating the site we have decided for the first time to actually let you all watch it be created and use the site at the same time. The site will be updated throughout the day by a separate group of writers just like ActiveWindows is.

  You can now sign up for the ActiveSci-Fi community on MSN Communities and help us to test out the new ActiveSci-Fi website by posting your comments about the site onto the message board or you can contact us directly via e-mail. Here is a list of confirmed upcoming reviews:

  Hardware: Microsoft Sidewinder Precision Racing Wheel, Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer, Regular Visor, Microtek SlimScan6
  Software: Age Of Empires 2, Flight Simulator 2000, Pandora's Box, Links LS 2000 Encarta 2000 Reference Suite DVD Edition, Sinistar Unleashed, Firestorm, X: Beyond The Frontier, System Shock 2, Heavy Gear 2, Shadowman, Rogue Spear
  Applications: Photoshop 5.5, Coral Suite 9

   

• Exclusive: Millennium Hits Beta 1 (Yes It Does This Time)
  Time: 16:02 EDT/21:02 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Alex H

  Our source has come up trumps again, we have gotten it confirmed that Windows Millennium Beta 1 (2380.2) has gone RTM and is now with testers...No bugs in it as other sites liked to guess at.

   
• USB for Windows NT 4.0, Embedded NT due next month
  Time: 16:01 EDT/21:01 GMT Source: Info World Posted By: Alex H

  At the Embedded Systems conference in San Jose, Calif., this week, Microsoft will be on hand with over a dozen partners showing off prototypes, betas, and finished products using Windows Embedded NT 4.0.

  At the conference Hewlett-Packard will announce support of Windows Embedded NT 4.0 on its just introduced line of L, X, and G Entria thin clients before the end of the year.

  Among the other standouts at the show will be BlueWater Systems with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) driver software developer kit for both Windows NT 4.0 and Embedded 4.0, two operating systems that do not have native USB support.

  The USB extensions for either operating system will allow device manufacturers to support plug and play capabilities on non-computer appliances as well as USB plug and play capability in notebook computers.

  Bill Kyle, vice president of marketing and sales at BlueWater, in Edmonds, Wash., said that the USB extensions are part of the company's WinDK kernel-level tool kit for building kernel level device drivers for NT.

  Kyle hinted that the company is in talks with major system OEMs for licensing deals. The WinDK with USB extensions will ship in early October and be priced at under $2,000 for the extensions and 100 licenses.

   
• MicroAge gears up for Windows 2000
  Time: 16:01 EDT/21:01 GMT Source: Info World Posted By: Alex H

  MicroAge on Monday announced a comprehensive plan for rolling out Windows 2000 and other Microsoft technologies, and said more than half of its Microsoft engineers will be devoted to the practices.

  "This really advances the objectives of our clients and provides Microsoft solutions for people who have scar tissue around some Microsoft services," said Dean Tyree, director of MicroAge's Microsoft Business Practice, who is based close to Microsoft, in Bellevue, Wash.

  The Tempe, Ariz., company's three bundled offerings center on Office 2000, Exchange Server, and Windows 2000. The services address issues such as deployment, migration from previous Microsoft technologies and other vendors' products, help desk services, and software licenses.

  "At some point down the road, Windows 2000 will occupy 70 percent of the network system market," Tyree said.

   
• Microsoft warms up to renting apps
  Time: 15:51 EDT/20:51 GMT Source: Info World Posted By: Byron

  Although it may be premature for IT shops to rip out their existing hardware and software, each week the trend toward rentable Web-based applications gains momentum. And while productivity-application giant Microsoft weighs its options in the application-rental arena, start-ups are already making the case for the virtual desktop.

  Microsoft's rent-an-application efforts will begin in the consumer and the small-business arenas before the company offers them more broadly. While company officials would not elaborate on timing, Microsoft Office 2000 will be available to small businesses through the company's bCentral Web site, which goes into beta testing this week. The initiative is part of Microsoft's expansion of its MSN portal site into an "Everyday Web" offering, which it hopes will become a one-stop site for Internet users.

   
• Official: Microsoft doesn't know which Millennium it is
  Time: 15:45 EDT/20:45 GMT Source: The Register Posted By: Byron

  Confusion over Microsoft's on/off Millennium Beta 1 announcement has echoed around the Web over the past couple of days, but that's scarcely surprising, considering how confused Microsoft itself is about it.

  Microsoft announced Beta 1 accidentally (MS announces Millennium beta by mistake) on Friday, then rapidly pulled the release. It was, apparently, a mistake, and Redmond had only meant to send out the routine weekly build of Millennium, and not issue a press release at all, honest. But if you turn to the original release, which you still can, thanks to Paul Thurrock of WinInfo (Escaped beta release), you can see how awesomely confused Microsoft really is.

   
• SoundBlaster Live!Ware 3 On The Way
  Time: 15:23 EDT/20:23 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron

  Creative have announced that Live!Ware 3.0 is on the way very soon (Mid-October for download although it is already available with their new cards)

  By reprogramming the EMU10K1 audio processor of Sound Blaster Live!, Creative lets you enjoy new experiences in Internet Entertainment. Live!Ware 3.0 for the Sound Blaster Live! series will transform your sound card into the most ideal audio solution for Internet Entertainment. The following Internet-related applications will open new experiences and enhanced enjoyment:

   
• Microsoft and Akamai Form Strategic Relationship To Enhance Internet Content Delivery
  Time: 10:47 EDT/15:47 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft Corp. and Akamai Technologies, which operates a global Internet content delivery service that accelerates Web performance, today announced a broad relationship to integrate Microsoft software technologies into Akamai's network. The companies also announced that Microsoft made an approximately $15 million investment in Akamai. The goal of this strategic relationship is to help further the rapid growth of the digital media market.

   
• Cirrus Logic and Microsoft Collaborate to Enable Next Generation Of Portable Music Devices Based on Windows Media Technologies 4
  Time: 10:46 EDT/15:46 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron

  Cirrus Logic Inc. and Microsoft Corp. today announced a technology agreement that will deliver immediate support for the Microsoft^® Windows Media™ Audio format and digital rights management solution in the new Cirrus Logic^® Maverick™ line of Internet audio chips. This agreement marks a major milestone: Cirrus Logic, the market leader in audio chips worldwide, is the first chip vendor to build in support for Windows Media Technologies 4 and to include licensing to its OEMs at no additional cost. The Windows Media-enabled Maverick chip line, with its revolutionary processor programmability, will power the next generation of portable music devices as early as this Christmas. This agreement will deliver Windows Media Audio compatible portable devices to the more than 40 million users of the Windows Media Player.

   
• Developers Showcase the First 20 Innovative Solutions On Windows NT Embedded at Embedded Systems Conference West
  Time: 10:45 EDT/15:45 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron

  Today at the Embedded Systems Conference West in San Jose, Microsoft Corp. customers displayed their next-generation devices and applications based on the Microsoft^® Windows NT^® Embedded 4.0 operating system. Only six weeks after the general availability of Windows NT Embedded was announced, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are ready with designs that span a range of market segments including telecommunications, retail, office automation, health care and manufacturing.

   
• Microsoft Windows CE and HP Jornada Explodes Into MGM's New James Bond Movie, "The World Is Not Enough"
  Time: 10:44 EDT/15:44 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron

  At last, Bond girls have better gadgets! Microsoft Corp. today announced it is teaming up with Hewlett-Packard Co. and MGM to feature the Microsoft^® Windows^® CE operating system-based HP Jornada Palm-size PC (P/PC) in the upcoming James Bond action film, "The World Is Not Enough," scheduled for release Nov. 19, 1999. In the movie, Dr. Christmas Jones, a nuclear physicist played by Denise Richards, relies on her own Windows CE-based HP Jornada P/PC to handle a potentially explosive situation.

   
• IBM buddies with MS over Win2k server
  Time: 08:27 EDT/13:27 GMT Source: The Register Posted By: Byron

  More than four years on from white-knuckle IBM-Microsoft negotiations over Windows 95 and technology access, the pair are buddied-up again, and IBM has access to Windows NT source code at its Kirkland, Washington site (near Redmond). As Microsoft trial evidence made clear earlier this year, source access for Kirkland was a key issue for IBM in the run-up to 95's launch.

  These days the Kirkland facility is known as the IBM Center for Microsoft Technologies, and the focus is Win2k. IBM's vision is apparently to make IBM hardware "scream with Microsoft software", and some of IBM's code fixes have been incorporated into Microsoft's forthcoming product.

   
• Dreamcast a hit: 500,000 sales
  Time: 03:34 EDT/08:34 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex H

  The new Sega game player is rocketing out of the starting box. But the race is still far from over with Sony and Nintendo ready to take the field.

  Sega of America Inc., the North American sales arm of Japan's Sega Enterprises Ltd., said sales of its new Dreamcast video gaming console have topped 500,000 units in just two weeks of sales.

  Sega said it has sold 514,000 units of the new Dreamcast, the first Internet-ready video gaming console with a built in modem, since it was launched on September 9.

  Sega said these sales figures surpass its own projections of 400,000 in the first month of sales.

  These numbers also eclipse the initial sales of the first Sony Playstation when it was launched in 1995, Sega said. Sony Corp.'s (NYSE:SNE) Playstation, which reached the half million mark in four months, is now the dominant video gaming console.

   
• Will Microsoft lose the living room?
  Time: 03:34 EDT/08:34 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex H

  With consumer electronics makers ready to release ultimate multimedia devices, Microsoft is developing WebTV, home networking and games. But will it be too late?

  Microsoft may have finally found the recipe to capture the couch potato and move PC technology from the living room to the den.

  The key ingredient is games. The big software maker is busy putting the pieces together to make Windows CE a premier gaming platform.

  Ultimately, the idea is to have multifunction set-top boxes that not only can play games, but surf the Net, control home entertainment, and play DVD movies.

  There's only one hitch: Sony (NYSE:SNE) seems to have beaten Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT) to the punch.

  When the Japanese consumer electronics maker announced details of its heavily anticipated PlayStation 2 two weeks ago, its plans went far beyond just another game machine.

  "If Sony makes it out with a cable-ready version of their PlayStation 2 before Microsoft comes out with a Windows CE-based gaming box, Microsoft is in trouble," said Jeremy Schwartz, game market analyst at industry watcher Forrester Research Inc.

   

• IBM to offer e-commerce security standard
  Time: 03:31 EDT/08:31 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Alex H

  IBM on Tuesday plans to launch a security system that it hopes will set the industry standard for protecting confidential documents such as those used in e-commerce.

  Unlike previous security measures that rely on software "firewalls" that filter out unauthorized users of information, IBM has developed a security chip embedded within the computer hardware, which, it says, adds additional levels of security.

  "People from outside can get at your software," said Anne Gardner, general manager of desktop systems for IBM. "People from the outside can't get to your hardware."

• Microsoft steps up game console discussions
  Time: 13:39 EDT/18:39 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft has discussed plans for a new video game console system with U.S. and Japanese game publishers, a Japanese executive involved in the talks said.

  Microsoft could make an announcement about a new console system by the end of October, said Yoshihiro Maruyama, the vice chairman of a U.S. joint venture between game makers Square and Electronic Arts.

  The system would feature common personal computer components, including a version of Microsoft's Windows operating system, an Intel microprocessor and graphics chips such as those made by 3Dfx Interactive, he said.

   
• Microsoft mounts plans to bring out new Windows
  Time: 13:35 EDT/18:35 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Byron

  News.com has posted its take on the Millennium press release that came out last week. They forget to mention it never did come out though:

  Microsoft is quickly moving along with plans to release new corporate and consumer versions of the Windows operating system over the next ten months.

  The company today announced the first beta, or testing version, of the successor to Windows 95 and 98, code-named Millennium.

  The beta comes as the much-delayed Windows 2000--the renamed Windows NT 5 which is Microsoft's corporate-class operating system--moves closer to release. The company is stepping up plans for a gala product launch at the Comdex computer tradeshow in November in Las Vegas.

   
• Millennium Update
  Time: 09:20 EDT/14:20 GMT Source: Win98 Central Posted By: Byron

  Win98 Central have posted the supposed reason for the Millennium Beta 1 delay, although it doesn't quite fit:

  We now know what really happened yesterday after all the frantic confusion made my Microsoft. It seems that Microsoft's PR department jumped the gun a bit and released the Millennium Beta 1 press release. Which means that Beta 1 should be released pretty soon. This caused a bit of confusion over at the Consumer Windows group, which was simply preparing its standard weekly build, not Beta 1.

   
• Unreal Tournament On DX7
  Time: 09:18 EDT/14:18 GMT Source: Unreal Universe Posted By: Byron

  We know a lot of you are waiting to play the first DirectX 7 enhanced game, Unreal Tournament. Well Unreal Universe have posted some shots of the game running with DirectX 7 right here.

   

• Site News: ActiveSci-Fi Beta Site
  Time: 06:44 EDT/11:44 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Byron

  We have begun the beta of the new ActiveSci-Fi site, while we are creating the site we have decided for the first time to actually let you all watch it be created and use the site at the same time. The site will be updated throughout the day by a separate group of writers just like ActiveWindows is.

  You can now sign up for the ActiveSci-Fi community on MSN Communities and help us to test out the new ActiveSci-Fi website by posting your comments about the site onto the message board or you can contact us directly via e-mail. Here is a list of upcoming reviews:

  Hardware: Microsoft Sidewinder Precision Racing Wheel, Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer, Regular Visor, Microtek SlimScan6
  Software: Age Of Empires 2, Flight Simulator 2000, Pandora's Box, Encarta 2000 Reference Suite DVD Edition, Nocturne, Sinistar Unleashed, Atlantis 2, Firestorm, X: Beyond The Frontier, System Shock 2, Heavy Gear 2, Shadowman, Rogue Spear
  Applications: Photoshop 5.5, Coral Suite 9
  Others: DirectX 7

• RePatch: Patch Available for "ImportExportFavorites" Vulnerability
  Time: 11:37 EDT/16:37 GMT Source: email Posted By: Alex R.

  Microsoft has re-released the "ImportExportFavorites" security patch.  Here's the text from the email:

  On September 10, 1999, Microsoft released the original version of this bulletin, in order to provide a workaround for a security vulnerability in Microsoft(c) Internet Explorer 5 that could allow a malicious web site operator to take inappropriate action on the computer of a person who visited the site. Microsoft has completed a patch that completely eliminates the vulnerability, and has re-released this bulletin in order to advise customers of its availability. In addition to eliminating the "ImportExportFavorites" vulnerability, the patch also eliminates a security vulnerability posed by several ActiveX controls that ship as part of Internet Explorer 4.01 and 5.

   
• Site News
  Time: 07:21 EDT/12:21 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Byron

  You can now sign up for the ActiveSci-Fi community on MSN Communities and help to test out our new ActiveSci-Fi website if you are a Science Fiction fan. We also have the search up and running again in a slightly different format. Here is a list of upcoming reviews:

  Hardware: Microsoft Sidewinder Precision Racing Wheel, Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer, Regular Visor, Microtek SlimScan6
  Software: Age Of Empires 2, Flight Simulator 2000, Encarta 2000 Reference Suite DVD Edition, Nocturne, Sinistar Unleashed, Atlantis 2, Firestorm, X: Beyond The Frontier, System Shock 2, Heavy Gear 2, Shadowman, Rogue Spear
  Applications: Photoshop 5.5, Coral Suite 9
  Others: DirectX 7

   
• Unreal Tournament Demo Monday
  Time: 07:21 EDT/12:21 GMT Source: Unreal Universe Posted By: Byron

  Unreal Universe has posted a bit of news from GT regarding the "full" demo of Unreal Tournament. So those of you waiting to get hold of a DirectX 7 enhanced game don't have long to wait:

  In the vernacular of today's business climate, this is known as a "heads-up." GT Interactive's long awaited Unreal Tournament "uber-demo" is slated for release Monday, September 24! Why "uber?" Because it supports all the major APIs. Good for you, and good for your readers...

• S3 & Diamond Multimedia Merger Approved
  Time: 20:05 EDT/01:05 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex R.

  After a slight problem with finding enough shareholder votes to approve the merger between S3 & Diamond... they have finally approved the merger.

   
• Rambus Chipset Delayed Again... Majorly.
  Time: 19:59 EDT/00:59 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex R.

  From the oh-man-I-lost-my-Quality-Assurance-Job-at-Intel department, we have word that Intel is putting a serious dent in shipping the 820 chipset (which supports the highly anticipated Rambus technology) by delaying it indefinitely.

  The problem stems after some assembly lines had already begun to manufacture the chipsets.  Some manufacturers claim to have discovered the bug when the motherboards came hot off the assembly lines: having three memory slots in a Rambus chipset environment causes serious data loss, even if the third memory slot is filled.

  The fix is, of course, to remove that third memory slot - but that limits these motherboards to 512mb of RAM... and not to mention the fact that thousands of the motherboards have already been manufactured with the third and faulty slot.

  Now we'll get to see who's shady enough to actually sell them, eh?

   
• mIRC v5.61 Released
  Time: 19:48 EDT/00:48 GMT Source: email Posted By: Alex R.

  As an aside to the Microsoft insanity today, we have word that a new version of mIRC was released on September 23rd.  Sorry for the late notice!

   

• Microsoft releases Millennium Beta 1...Oh No They Don't
  Time: 19:16 EDT/00:16 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Alex H

  It seems that some people at Microsoft have lost their minds today, first they post a press release stating that they have released Millennium Beta 1 to testers and companies alike, but no one had actually gotten it, next they remove the press release link (Although it is still there at the same URL) and now tell everyone that there is currently no beta 1 available...just a new build that is labeled as beta 1...For once all the bad information comes directly from Microsoft.

  We should have more information on this Microsoft mess later in the day.

   
• Microsoft: It's more than OSes now
  Time: 19:07 EDT/00:07 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Byron

  In the fight to shape the future of computing, the Web has won the battle. But Microsoft may yet win the online war.

  Acknowledging connected networks' increasingly central role in delivering online productivity applications, the world's largest software company this week mapped out a new vision for delivering software solutions designed specifically for the Internet.

   
• MS goes hardware: MSN Web Companion
  Time: 19:05 EDT/00:05 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft Corp. is hedging its bets that the PC may not be center of the computing universe forever. The company Thursday previewed a new computing device called the MSN Web Companion, a move that could ignite more interest in the evolving "Internet appliance" market.

   

• Millennium to Change Face of Computing
  Time: 18:48 EDT/23:48 GMT Source: Betanews Posted By: Alex H

  Betanews has posted a new article about Windows Millennium called "Millennium to change the face of computing" ok, that may be taking it a bit too far but anyway. Although it doesn't touch on anything new it does span a few things out well...Including the features of Neptune (Screenshot) we mentioned a while ago, that will be blending in with Millennium (Not completely in Beta 1). Here is a snippet:

  Another noticeable change in Millennium will be the introduction of HTML-based Windows Activity Centers, previously called 'shells,' containing a 'Home Page' and a 'Task Page.' The 'Centers' integrate all the tools that are related to a specific function, providing a new seamless user experience that was not found in older versions of Windows. The tools will run in a single maximized window, simplifying things for beginners while annoying expert users alike.

   
• Mattel CEO To Exit Microsoft Board
  Time: 14:36 EDT/19:36 GMT Source: Techweb Posted By: Byron

  Jill Barad, CEO of Mattel, is not seeking re-election to Microsoft's board of directors. Barad, the only woman serving on Microsoft's board, will focus on her priorities at the El Segundo, Calif.-based maker of Barbie dolls and Hot Wheels. Microsoft has no plans pick a replacement at its November shareholders meeting.

   
• Top News
  Microsoft Releases Millennium Beta 1 to Partners, Beta Testers
  Time: 11:00 EDT/16:00 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron

  As we exclusively announced the other day, Microsoft today released beta 1 of Millennium, kicking off the next phase in its work with partners and beta testers to develop an operating system specifically designed for the home user. The operating system, developed by Microsoft's Consumer Windows Division, is designed to provide enhancements in each of the division’s four key areas of focus:

   
• ActiveWindows Community Reminder
  Time: 05:28 EDT/10:28 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Byron

  Just another reminder about signing up for our ActiveWindows Community on MSN. It allows you to chat with us in our chat room or via our message board, it also lets you post your own screensavers and backgrounds for other ActiveWindows readers to download.

   

• ActiveWindows Mouse Pads
  Time: 05:25 EDT/10:25 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Byron

  The Mouse Pads have been so popular that we have had to order another batch so don't forget that the first ActiveWindows piece of merchandise is now available to order. The first product in our new range of logos is the ActiveWindows Mouse Pad.

• WindowBlinds 1.0 Released to Everyone
  Time: 19:20 EDT/00:20 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Dennis

  Its out on download.com! Download it now here. Review will be up tonight or tomorrow!

   

• WindowBlinds 1.0 Review - Tomorrow
  Time: 18:18 EDT/23:18 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Dennis

  After some technical difficulties on my end, the review has been delayed (again). We will be posting it tomorrow most likely.

  I am giving you one more preview at this version. You can view the configuration window here.

  Thank you for your continued patience

   

• Microsoft Aims To Ship Win 2000 In December
  Time: 18:27 EDT/23:27 GMT Source: TechWeb Posted By: Byron

  After years of delays, Microsoft now expects to ship Windows 2000 to corporate sites and resellers in December, said sources familiar with the company's plans.

  According to an internal Microsoft document published last week, Windows 2000 Professional (client), Windows2000 Server, and Windows 2000 Advanced Server will be released to manufacturing (RTM) in November and will ship in December.

   
• Patch Available for "Domain Resolution" and "FTP Download" Vulnerabilities
  Time: 16:31 EDT/21:31 GMT Source: Security Advisor Posted By: Alex H

  Microsoft has released a patch that eliminates two security vulnerabilities in Microsoft^® Internet Information Server 4.0. The vulnerabilities allow security restrictions in IIS to be bypassed under certain conditions, as discussed below. Frequently asked questions regarding this vulnerability can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins/ms99-039faq.asp.

  Issue

  There are two vulnerabilities at issue here:

  IIS 4.0 provides the ability to restrict access to a web site based on the user’s domain. However, if IIS cannot resolve a user’s IP address to a domain, it will grant the user’s first request for a session. It will correctly deny them thereafter. A user who accesses an FTP site via a browser will be able to download files even if they are marked No Access. This vulnerability is due to a regression error that was introduced in hotfixes released after Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 5; it does not exist in SP5 or in previous versions. Neither vulnerability provides a means to usurp control of the server. A patch is available that eliminates both vulnerabilities.

  Affected Software Versions

  Microsoft Internet Information Server 4.0

  Patch Availability

  ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/bussys/iis/iis-public/fixes/usa/IIS40/hotfixes-postSP6/security/IPRFTP-fix/

   

• Q&A: Fighting Spam at MSN Hotmail
  Time: 16:31 EDT/21:31 GMT Source: Press Pass Posted By: Alex H

  With more than 40 million members, the MSN™ Hotmail™ Web-based e-mail service -- the world’s leading e-mail service -- has a great understanding of the effect of unsolicited commercial e-mail, or spam, on Internet communications. Thus, the service is committed to helping lead the fight against spam with efforts more extensive than mere statements of policy. Hotmail is fighting spam on two fronts: keeping spammers from using the Hotmail service to send unsolicited commercial e-mail and protecting its members from receiving spam. In addition, Hotmail is working to educate its members about spam. The efforts of Hotmail to fight unsolicited e-mail have been applauded by anti-spam organizations such as spam.abuse.net, the SAFE e-mail preference service ("SAFEeps") and the Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial E-Mail ("CAUCE").

  In its continuing effort to protect its users from spam, Hotmail has recently initiated a lawsuit against four defendants alleged to have engaged in a spam campaign designed to attract recipients to an online investing Web site and deceive them into believing that the spam was generated from a Hotmail account. PressPass spoke with Randy Delucchi, Hotmail’s director of operations services, to discuss that lawsuit and Hotmail’s other efforts to protect its members and its service from these and other tactics employed by spammers today.

   
• MS Win2k training switch telegraphs early death for NT
  Time: 16:24 EDT/21:24 GMT Source: The Register Posted By: Alex H

  Windows 2000 may have been a long time coming, but Microsoft intends to push it hard when it does arrive, and just to make sure, is 'disappearing' Microsoft-certified support for NT 4.0 by the end of next year.

  Current and would-be Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCPs) have been stunned by an announcement here that the company intends to "retire" NT 4.0 examinations on 31 December 2000, and that these are to be replaced by Windows 2000 equivalents. These exams are necessary for the achievement and retention of MCP and MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) status. Obviously, if it's to keep support qualifications current, Microsoft has to move the exams along regularly, but it's more usual for the company to keep exams for the previous generation of software current for two years or more.

  NT 3.51 exams, for example, won't be retired until June of next year, while MCPs depending on Windows 3.1 for their qualifications didn't get the plugs pulled on them until 1 September 1998.

   
• Linux creator predicts software price crash
  Time: 16:21 EDT/21:21 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex H

  Computer software prices will crash when the need for constant upgrades disappears, and this is only a matter of time, Linux creator Linus Torvalds said on Thursday. "There are already some signs of this beginning ... (a crash) may come three years from now," said Torvalds.

   
• Chase: Expedia spinoff part of larger MSN strategy
  Time: 16:20 EDT/21:20 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex H

  Brad Chase, Vice President of Microsoft's Consumer and Commerce Group, said today the Expedia spinoff was part of a larger company strategy to nourish emerging Internet market segments, such as car sales, travel and heath. "The question is -- how do we make these marketplaces blossom and integrate them into MSN," Chase said. "Are we going to do spin offs in other marketplaces? Sure." Chase noted, however, that spin offs were but one option the company would deploy. Depending on the market it would also engage in partnerships, as it has done with Ford, or pursue equity investments, as it has done with WebMD.

   
• RealJukebox goes solid gold
  Time: 16:17 EDT/21:17 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex H

  RealNetworks said it is releasing the golden versions of its RealJukebox player today, and it announced a quartet of commerce and content partnerships intended to boost the popularity of its digital music player.

  The streaming media developer said more than 10 million copies of its RealJukebox player have been downloaded by users since a beta version of the player was posted on its Web site in May. The software -- available both as a free player and in a $30 Plus version that adds higher-quality sound and music management capabilities -- lets PC users download MP3 and other popular music files, record CD audio to their hard disks, play the music on their PCs or on portable devices and manage digital music content.

  To help further popularize the technology -- among consumers, online music merchants and music labels interested in promoting their artists -- RealNetworks (Nasdaq:RNWK) said it added two capabilities to its software. RealJukebox users will now be able to download and play back music videos along with their audio tracks, said Maria Cantwell, senior vice president of the consumer and e-commerce divisions at Real. Among the first videos offered: A Nine Inch Nails music video that promotes the group's latest album.

   
• Microsoft moves to revive MSN
  Time: 16:13 EDT/21:13 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Alex H

  Microsoft today introduced a series of initiatives to jump-start its stalled MSN Internet effort. Plans include a revamp of the MSN search and directory site, which is now live; the introduction of a Web portal targeting small businesses, called "bCentral"; and a distribution scheme to popularize the recently launched MSN Messenger Service.

  MSN also plans to launch a group  of services and software tools for Web site and software developers.

  Brad Chase, vice president of MSN's consumer and commerce group, said MSN is implementing its new search engine with technology from Direct Hit, RealNames, and AltaVista today for its U.S. site. Users of MSN's international sites will get the upgrade later.

   
• Getty, Gates draw swords over digital images
  Time: 16:11 EDT/21:11 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Alex H

  Two of America's richest families are locked in a battle that only the Internet could create: a race to build the largest digital image archives.

  Mark Getty, heir to the Getty oil fortune, has pitted his Getty Images firm against Bill Gates's Corbis. Intensifying the struggle, Getty Images this week acquired Dallas-based Image Bank from Eastman Kodak--the company's largest acquisition so far--and relegated Microsoft's chairman to a role he's rarely played, one of an underdog. That may not last for long, however, as Corbis is on an expansion binge of its own, cutting distribution deals with Excite@Home and others.

  For years, photo and archive houses were the mainstays of the relatively small market. Once the technology was created to send images over the Internet, the business began growing. Now, the market supplies to publishing, advertising, movie-making companies, as well as to the public.

  As the field has narrowed to these two market Goliaths, an irresistible question has emerged from the rivalry: How much of this clash is about business opportunities and how much is driven by pure ego?

   

• ICQ Surf Alpha v1.00
  Time: 16:08 EDT/21:08 GMT Source: Desktop Watch Posted By: Alex H

  ICQ Surf is a groundbreaking Internet tool enabling people simultaneously browsing the same Web site to communicate with each other.

   
• NT4 Service Pack 6 News
  Time: 16:02 EDT/21:02 GMT Source: E-Mail Posted By: Alex H

  Microsoft was going to finish NT4 SP6 tomorrow (Sept 24). For some reasons, Microsoft has pushed NT4 SP6 final to early next week.

   
• Microsoft Outlines Vision for Delivering the Everyday Web
  Time: 15:07 EDT/20:07 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft Corp. today announced it is delivering the first step toward a new vision of the Everyday Web, a vision that differentiates Microsoft's portal Web site, the MSN.COM™ network of Internet Services, from competitors by focusing on empowering both consumers and businesses online and offline - any time, anywhere and from any device.

   
• Q&A: Enhancing Multimedia Development with DirectX 7.0
  Time: 15:05 EDT/20:05 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft today announced the availability of the DirectX 7.0 Application Programming Interface (API), a set of tools that helps developers to create cutting-edge multimedia applications. By simplifying the process of developing three-dimensional graphics, sound effects, hardware support and other multimedia features, DirectX 7.0 allows developers to concentrate on what they do best -- making high-quality, engaging software. To better understand the benefits DirectX 7.0 offers to software developers, PressPass spoke with Jason White from the DirectX team.

   
• Microsoft Files Suite Against Five Minnesota Resellers
  Time: 10:55 EDT/15:55 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Bob

  At a press conference today at the IDS Center in Minneapolis, officials of Microsoft Corp. announced that the company has taken legal action to stop five Minnesota computer resellers from allegedly distributing counterfeit Microsoft^® software and/or hardware. The lawsuits, alleging copyright violations and trademark infringements, are part of the company's ongoing work to protect consumers and legitimate software distributors from the harmful effects of software piracy and to reduce the toll it takes on the economy. Consumers who obtain counterfeit software have an increased potential for obtaining viruses, often find that their software is missing key elements - including software code - and are ineligible for valuable technical support, warranty protection and upgrades.

   

• Microsoft Launches to Web Portal to Help Businesses Forward
  Time: 10:55 EDT/15:55 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Bob

  Microsoft Corp. today announced the launch of Microsoft^® bCentral, a new portal created specifically to meet the needs of small and growing companies. Microsoft bCentral provides a comprehensive and integrated suite of services to help growing companies leverage the Internet to improve their business. The site delivers services in three key areas: getting a business started online by connecting to the Web and building a Web site; promoting and marketing online to reach new customers; and managing a business more effectively. A beta version of the new site will be available in the United States beginning Sept. 30, 1999, at http://www.bCentral.com/

   

• Windows 2000 Datacenter Server Beta Ships
  Time: 10:58 EDT/15:58 GMT Source: Techweb Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft has shipped beta one of Windows 2000 Datacenter Server. Designed for the most demanding, large-scale computing environments, Datacenter includes four-node clustering, up to 32-way SMP support, load balancing, and all the features of Windows 2000 Advanced Server. The release is due 90 to 120 days after the planned fall launch of Windows 2000 Professional, Server, and Advanced Server.

   

• Microsoft Encarta Reference Suite 2000 Now Available on DVD-ROM
  Time: 10:55 EDT/15:55 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft Corp. today announced the release of Encarta^® Reference Suite 2000 on DVD-ROM to stores nationwide. The DVD offering incorporates four reference resources - Microsoft^® Encarta Encyclopedia Deluxe 2000, Encarta Interactive World Atlas, Encarta World English Dictionary and Encarta Online Deluxe - combined on one disc to provide enhanced integration and ease of use.

  Note: We will be posting a review of the DVD-ROM version in just over a weeks time.

• Site News - DirectX Section Updated
  Time: 17:19 EDT/22:19 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Bob

  Our DirectX 7 Section has been updated to reflect the availability of DirectX 7 and the DirectX 7 SDK. We should have a review posted within a few days. Check our DirectX 7 Download Pages for full information and download links for both files. In addition to Microsoft, DirectX 7 Can be downloaded off of our server here.

   

• Yet Another Hotmail Bug
  Time: 17:19 EDT/22:19 GMT Source: news.com Posted By: Alex R.

  Microsoft has yet another Hotmail/Javascript security breach that exposes passwords.  This is the third manifestation of the Javascript problems existing on the Hotmail site.  Microsoft has confirmed the bug and is on the case.

   
• DirectX 7 SDK Available To Download
  Time: 15:35 EDT/20:35 GMT Source: E-Mail Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft has also posted the DirectX 7 SDK. The DirectX 7.0 SDK requires Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows 2000. The SDK requires 129 MB of free space to download and 223 MB to unpack.

   
• Exclusive: DirectX 7 - Released
  Time: 14:38 EDT/19:38 GMT Source: E-Mail Posted By: Byron

  As we announced yesterday - Microsoft has today released DirectX 7 officially onto the web. This current address is for the English Windows 95/98 version and will appear on Windows Update in the next day or so.

  http://download.microsoft.com/download/win98SE/Update/7.0/W9X/EN-US/DX70eng.exe

   
• Microsoft Releases Picture It! 2000
  Time: 11:33 EDT/16:33 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft Corp. today introduced the latest version of its award-winning Picture It!^® 2000 consumer photo-editing software. Microsoft^® Picture It! 2000 is designed for consumers who want to enter their photos into their personal computer, edit and enhance them and then share them with friends and family. Featuring new tools to create Web pages, Web slide shows and Web photo albums, Picture It! 2000 combines consumers' enthusiasm for sharing photos with their excitement for the Web.

   
• Microsoft presents alternative facts in closing
  Time: 11:30 EDT/16:30 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Byron

  Closing testimony at the Microsoft trial demonstrated remarkably different strategies for putting the case before the presiding judge, Thomas Penfield Jackson.

  In his closing statement yesterday, Microsoft attorney John Warden argued the government failed to prove any of its claims.

  "The moment for courtroom melodrama has passed," said Warden, adding it was the government's day of reckoning.

  But antitrust experts disagreed with that assessment, pointing out Microsoft put its own spin on the facts, a decidedly different set of facts than that set forth by the government.

   
• Ford, Microsoft overtaking car dealers?
  Time: 03:43 EDT/08:43 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Alex H

  While Microsoft Corp. and Ford Motor Company tout their Build-to-Order joint venture as a customer-focused service, some industry experts see it as a move to change the way cars are sold. For decades, state laws have mandated car sales always go through car dealerships, a product of influential businesspeople in various communities protecting their multimillion-dollar facilities investments.

  Add your comments to the bottom of this page. But there's a lot of money to be made by cutting out the middleman, the dealer, according to sources who declined to be identified.

  Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT), Ford and a number of other powerful auto manufacturers, will soon join forces to whittle away at the system, sources told ZDNN.

   
• Web sites' challenge to software makers heats up
  Time: 03:43 EDT/08:43 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Alex H

  Web sites that offer desktop applications over the Net are revving up to challenge traditional software makers through new products and appeals to software developers.

  The sites offer a variety of applications such as electronic calendars and address books, file storage, and email management tools. Web-based email sites like Hotmail, now owned by Microsoft, led the charge, attracting users with a free service that users could access from any computer with Internet access.

  Now the trend is to offer an entire suite of applications to lure users to the site as their first and most frequent point of reference on the Web, much the way search and content aggregation sites such as Yahoo and Lycos have amassed some of the Web's largest audiences.

   
• Microsoft hatching online plans for Office
  Time: 03:42 EDT/08:42 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Alex H

  Can portals offering free Web-based desktop applications turn the tables on Microsoft?

  As more portal sites add free or low-cost business applications to their services, Microsoft finds itself in an awkward position: The software giant needs to launch a Web-hosting model for its Office desktop productivity software to counter competitors and maintain its huge customer base. It also needs to set prices that keep Office's enormous revenues--one-third to one-half of the company's total--rolling in.

  In a sense, Microsoft finds itself in the same position Netscape Communications encountered a few years ago as it attempts to sell software that others are giving away. Netscape, which led the Web browser market by a huge margin with its for-fee Navigator software, eventually gave way to Microsoft's free Internet Explorer.

   

• Exclusive : Millennium and IE 5 News
  Time: 03:38 EDT/08:38 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Alex H

  We have had some people asking about what the story is with Internet Explorer 5 and what sort of specs you will need to run Windows Millennium. 

  IE 5.01 is still on Beta Build 1957.1 ... so not much info on it.. (consider that even Win 2000 RC2 only has IE 5.01 Build 1938.) For Millennium... well, here is what Microsoft says about Millennium in beta invitation e-mail:

  SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS TO RUN THE BETA CD

  We want to give you an exclusive opportunity to register for the beta program for "Millennium" - the code name for the next consumer version of Microsoft Windows(r). Millennium promises home computing innovations in four key areas: digital media and entertainment, home networking, the online experience, and ensuring the operating system works for you.

  To install and run the Millennium Beta 1 CD, you must also have a system that meets the following minimum requirements:

  -Pentium 150 MHz -32 MB of RAM -320-420 MB of hard-disk space available for typical installation

  Depending on your system configuration and the options you choose to install, the hard-disk space required may range from 190 MB to 550 MB.

• WinLinux Linux on Windows goes into public beta
  Time: 16:15 EDT/21:15 GMT Source: The Register Posted By: Alex H

  Department of strange coincidences. On Friday Microsoft bought one Linux for Windows (See story),but on Tuesday another one pops up. JRCP's WinLinux 2000 was released for a public final beta today, and the final product is expected to ship in early November.

  Softway's Linux version of Interix didn't actually make it out of development before MS bought the company, so in addition to not knowing whether the deal was just done to kill it, we don't know if it was/would have been any use either. But there are several other Unix on Windows products available, and that means Linux on Windows can be implemented relatively easily, if there's a demand for it. Which also means that if Microsoft's sole purpose in this area is to buy them and kill them (as some observers are suggesting) it could get expensive. But not as expensive as stakes in cable companies.

   
• Java dreams: Smart light switches?
  Time: 16:12 EDT/21:12 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex H

  How will Java fare in sub-PC devices? The answer could come as quickly as this month's Embedded Systems Conference in San Jose, Calif. 

  At the heart of this question is Sun Microsystems' Java 2 Micro Edition, which allows Java to run on devices ranging from light switches to cell phones to personal digital assistants. Sun threw its partners into turmoil last spring when it uncorked the reengineered platform without warning. And, while Sun currently is working on a transition plan, there are plenty of disagreements involved.

  Sun's partners still are betting Java will play a role in the billions of new devices expected to proliferate over the next few years. But questions remain about who will control this market if it does take off, and whether the devices that run embedded Java will be compatible enough to exchange code.

   
• Excite@Home inks wireless agreement
  Time: 16:10 EDT/21:10 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Alex H

  Excite@Home today announced an agreement to use AirFlash wireless technology, in an effort to attract wireless users to Excite's Web content.

  The partnership will allow mobile device users to view personalized Excite content, such as stock quotes or news headlines; use Excite Web applications, such as an interactive calendar; send email; and conduct e-commerce transactions, such as booking reservations or ordering merchandise, an Excite@Home representative said yesterday.

  The announcement continues the company's initiative to lure people who use non-PC devices such as cell phones, personal digital assistants, and pagers. America Online has a similar initiative, dubbed "AOL Anywhere," for users to access their AOL accounts via multiple devices, and portal rival Yahoo made its own move when it acquired Online Anywhere for $80 million in stock.

   
• Critical Path oversight exposes NSI email
  Time: 16:08 EDT/21:08 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Alex H

  Email hosting provider Critical Path has acknowledged a serious security hole that compromised accounts within services offered by a number of customers, including Network Solutions, the dominant domain name registrar.

  The hole is similar to one that plagued Microsoft's Hotmail last month by allowing access to a user's account without requiring a password first. The more recent breach, which Critical Path confirmed yesterday, comes as Network Solutions (NSI) is offering new services such as free email to hold on to customers who may be lured away by new competitors.

  Critical Path, which provides behind-the-scenes resources for activating accounts on NSI's new service, said the problem affected other free email clients but declined to name them.

  "Critical Path immediately took steps to resolve the issue, including disabling sign-ups for affected customers," said Steve Eldridge, a spokesman for Critical Path. "Critical Path is proactively working to improve security related to the sign-up process. We expect to have this completely resolved within 24 hours."

   

• Site News
  Time: 09:51 EDT/14:51 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Byron

  You can now sign up for the ActiveSci-Fi community on MSN Communities if you are a Science Fiction fan. We also have the search up and running again in a slightly different format. Here is a list of upcoming reviews:

  Hardware: Microsoft Precision Steering Wheel USB, Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer, Regular Visor, Microtek SlimScan6
  Software: Age Of Empires 2, Encarta 2000 Reference Suite DVD Edition, Nocturne, Sinistar Unleashed, Atlantis 2, Firestorm, X: Beyond The Frontier, System Shock 2, Heavy Gear 2, Shadowman, Rogue Spear
  Applications: Photoshop 5.5, Coral Suite 9
  Others: DirectX 7

   
• Top News
  DirectX 7 Due For Release Tomorrow
  Time: 09:31 EDT/14:31 GMT Source: Microsoft Posted By: Alex H

  Microsoft are set to finally officially release DirectX 7 onto the web sometime tomorrow. As usual, we will keep you informed of the progress and get the official download sites ASAP.

   
• Microsoft and Acer America Bring Affordable Internet Access, PCs to Consumers
  Time: 09:25 EDT/14:25 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft Corp. and Acer America Corp. today announced a program that provides more people with access to today's fastest-growing technology. Designed to overcome economic barriers to home computing, Microsoft and Acer's First PC program enables people to purchase an Acer computer with MSN™ Internet Access at a truly affordable price.

  A large number of all U.S. households do not yet own a PC. The First PC program makes it easy and affordable for people to purchase an Acer Aspire computer equipped with an Intel Celeron 400MHz processor, a 15-inch color monitor, a printer and MSN Internet Access for as little as $49 a month.*

   
• Microsoft Files Software Piracy Actions Against Five Pennsylvania Resellers
  Time: 09:22 EDT/14:22 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron

  Microsoft Corp. today announced that the company has filed lawsuits against five resellers in Pennsylvania as part of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers and legitimate resellers and to lessen the negative effects of software piracy on Pennsylvania's economy. The five resellers allegedly distributed counterfeit software and/or installed unlicensed software on computers.

   
• ActiveWindows Community Reminder
  Time: 07:28 EDT/12:28 GMT Source: ActiveWindows Posted By: Byron

  Just another reminder about signing up for our ActiveWindows Community on MSN. It allows you to chat with us in our chat room or via our message board, it also lets you post your own screensavers and backgrounds for other ActiveWindows readers to download.

   

• Microsoft Purchases Unix Partner
  Time: 06:50 EDT/11:50 GMT Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex R.

  Here's a tidbit for all those conspiracy theorists everywhere :-)

  Just days before the closing arguments in the Department of Justice vs. Microsoft Corp. case, Microsoft managed to slide one more corporate buyout under the carpet. Late Friday, Microsoft issued a statement acknowledging it had purchased privately owned Softway Systems Inc. for an undisclosed sum. As part of the deal, several Softway executives and a number of the Softway development team members are expected to join Microsoft, but Microsoft would not comment on particulars.

   

• Patch Available for "Spoofed Route Pointer" Vulnerability
  Time: 05:00 EDT/10:00 GMT Source: Windows 98 Central Posted By: Alex H

  Microsoft has released a patch that eliminates a vulnerability in Microsoft(r) Windows(r) 95, 98 and Windows NT(r) 4.0 that could allow source routing to be performed, even if it has ostensibly been disabled. The patch also includes added functionality to provide additional control over source routing.

   

• Jedor Viscosity 1.0 Released
  Time: 04:59 EDT/09:59 GMT Source: Press Release Posted By: Alex H

  Jedor has released Viscosity(tm), a pixel-based, 2D-animation software package primarily used for creating, editing, and publishing web graphics and video. Viscosity fuses the process of image editing and animation by fully integrating individual frame editing, animation effects, and real-time playback.

  Editing features include extensive drawing and selection tools, brushes, multiple layers, and image filters - all of which can be used on a single frame or a selection of frames simultaneously. Along with variable image filter settings (across a series of frames), transition effects, and advanced frame editing functions, Viscosity is the ideal tool for creating animations.

  To publish images and animations for the web, Viscosity incorporates an interactive save preview (showing the resulting image or animation, download time and file size), with common web file formats, such as GIF, JPG, and PNG. The GIF export engine compresses files optimally, with user options available to control quality and colors.

  Viscosity is ideal for web developers, graphics designers, artists, technical designers, game developers, video editors, or media specialists interested in a high-quality animation editing tool with built in web optimization features.

  Viscosity is regularly priced at $179 US, available for purchase at Jedor's website, http://www.jedor.com. As an introductory offer (available until October 18, 1999), Viscosity can be purchased for $149 US.

   

• Microsoft polishes its Dashboard Web software
  Time: 04:57 EDT/09:57 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Alex H

  Microsoft today released new technology that allows companies to build portal sites for employees to access email, company resources, and information from the Web.

  Microsoft in May announced its "Digital Dashboard" initiative, allowing businesses to create customized versions of Microsoft's Outlook 2000 email software by including Web information, such as stock quotes and news, with corporate resources, such as updated internal sales data.

  Today's new software releases are the first products stemming from its concept of a "Digital Dashboard," giving users one piece of software that in theory serves as a window to all their information needs.

  Microsoft is one of many software makers--including start-ups like Cognos and more established firms such as Lotus Development--that are selling products to help businesses build internal and public Internet portal sites.

   

• Yahoo auction search reveals X-rated material
  Time: 04:55 EDT/09:55 GMT Source: News.com Posted By: Alex H

  A Yahoo auction participant searching for a DVD player this weekend instead found hard-core pornography, a discovery that exposed a substantial breach in the company's system.

  In what one Yahoo representative attributed to "human error," dozens of pornographic listings can be found through a simple keyword search unrelated to the pictures. On further research, CNET News.com found thousands more just two links from the search results. All of the listings were available without age verification or log in information.

  In addition, at the top of the search results screen, auction users can see thumbnail images of triple-X scenes. The images linked to the actual auction listings, which included full-size versions of the pictures.

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